As we approach Thanksgiving Day it is important for us to pause and reflect on our own sense of gratitude for all that we have. The Gospel story of the healing of the ten lepers illustrates the importance of thankfulness. Although it was not imperative in their actually healing (faith is), it separated the nine from the tenth who recognized what had happened and returned to show his deep gratitude. Not only had Jesus freed him from his physical contagion; he also validated the Samaritan as a human being worthy of respect even if he was a foe of the Jews. He was given a second chance at life. Whereas the others returned to their old ways of living, this Samaritan was now free to walk a different path, namely one which followed Jesus with a new vision. Our healing may not be as dramatic but may we recognize that Jesus is inviting us to a whole new way of life. May we be people of thankfulness seeing the world anew.
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